OSU basketball notebook: Travis Ford, Cowboys kept the faith

This season has hardly gone like anyone associated with the Cowboys expected, or wanted.

Still, OSU coach Travis Ford has maintained a keeping of the faith with his team. And claimed the same was taking place with the players.

Oklahoma State's Markel Brown (22) looks to pass around Missouri's Michael Dixon (11) during an NCAA college basketball game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Missouri Tigers (MU) at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

And he said Wednesday night's 79-72 upset of No. 2 Missouri confirmed as much.

“It's not like we've accomplished the world or anything, but it's a good win,” Ford said. “I'm so proud of them, because we've been through a lot. And still will go through a lot. There's going to be tough days even ahead.

“But this was a great win from a bunch of guys who decided to look at the glass half-full, rather than half-empty the past three, four, five weeks, the past six weeks, two months.

“And I think that shows a lot about them. I'm proud of every guy in that locker room who decided to continue to play hard and be positive.”

Now the question becomes whether the Cowboys can build off the big win.

“It does a lot for us,” said senior Keiton Page. “It's a huge win for us, it's a big win, but it just shows us what we're capable of. It shows us that we can play with anybody.

“We still have a long ways to go ... We've gotta get more wins, get some wins on the road. And, like I said, it just shows us what we're capable of. This team's hungry ... for wins.”

UP NEXT

The Cowboys, snapping a three-game losing streak, now head to Texas A&M Saturday in search of their first Big 12 road win since 2010.

The Aggies are 11-8 overall and 2-5 in conference play.

BROWN MISSES OUT

Cowboys sophomore Markel Brown was called for two fouls — both technicals, earning him an automatic ejection and forcing him to watch the final minutes of the upset from the locker room.

Brown, who has fought his emotional side in games, was whistled both times for taunting, the first time after blocking the shot of Ricardo Ratliff, the second after throwing down a highlight-reel dunk on an alley-oop pass from Page with 6:59 remaining in the game.

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